Vice President, External Relations, US - Start January 2025

Role purpose

Start Date: January 2025

As the VP, External Relations,USA you will be at the forefront of advancing international education in the US. Your role will be pivotal in shaping how IDP engages with government bodies, influences regulatory frameworks, and drives our strategic objectives. By harnessing our unique data and insights, you will be instrumental in helping steer policy discussions, influencing the regulatory environment, forging strategic partnerships, and supporting IDP’s commercial strategy across all our product lines. 

You will take charge of engaging with key decision-makers, staying ahead of regulatory changes, and providing actionable advice to navigate and influence legislation effectively. Reporting to the SVP Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement, North America, this role demands a blend of strategic foresight, relationship-building prowess, and policy expertise. 

This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of international education by driving impactful policy changes and fostering influential relationships. If you are passionate about making a difference and excel in a high-stakes environment, we want to hear from you. 

Key responsibilities

You will -

• Develop and lead comprehensive external relations and government affairs strategies to build and nurture relationships with US government bodies, policymakers, and regulatory agencies, and leverage these relationships to shape policies that align with IDP’s mission and growth goals. 

• Monitor legislative and regulatory trends in education, technology, immigration, and skills development and identify opportunities and challenges that could impact IDP’s operations and strategize accordingly. 

• Engage with government officials to advocate for policies that advance international education and provide insightful analysis and recommendations to our partners on the implications of policy changes. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, including government agencies and industry associations, to support IDP’s strategic objectives.

• Develop contingency plans and manage communications during sensitive or high-stakes situations, ensuring IDP’s interests are represented effectively. 

What you will bring

You have… 

• An extensive politically astute background in US government affairs, relations, or public policy advising, with a deep understanding of the political and policymaking landscape. 

• Expertise in navigating US government structures and forging strong relationships with key decision-makers. 

• Experience advising senior leaders and spearheading external relations and government communications strategies, with a track record of aligning these strategies with organizational objectives. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex and sensitive issues persuasively to represent IDP’s interests. 

• Proven ability to thrive in a dynamic environment, demonstrating excellent problem-solving skills and sound judgment. 

About IDP

IDP is the global leader in international education services, delivering global success to students, test takers and our partners, through trusted human relationships, digital technology and customer research. An Australian-listed company, we operate in more than 50 countries around the world.

Our team is comprised of over 7,000 people of various nationalities, ages and cultural backgrounds. Proudly customer-first, our expert people are powered by global technology. Together, we offer unmatched services, helping local dreams become realities, all over the world.

Learn more at www.careers.idp.com